Powai Lake beautification: Nitin Desai extends help to BMC

The BMC has taken up the beautification work of Powai lake. Renowned art director Nitin Desai has come forward to extend his services for this beautification work as he has carried out a presentation of his ideas before the municipal commissioner. The BMC authorities have assured him to consider his suggestions in the second phase of the beautification.

The beautification of Powai lake will be carried out in two phases. The pollution level at this lake has alarmingly risen in last few years due to increasing number of slums, buildings and industrial units. The sewage water is released in this lake which has further polluted the lake.The IIT Bombay has conducted a survey a few months back. Following this survey, a contractor was appointed to remove weed from the lake area. Total Rs 6.75 crore will be spent to remove this weed in the first phase of beautification. The things to be carried out in this phase include the closure of sewage release, implementation of sewage treatment plant, footpath and nature landscape development, development of observation and security mechanism, the creation of gardens and fountains, compiling a report for the creation of the botanical garden, etc.

Frishman Prabhu Company has been appointed as advisor for this project. A total expenditure of Rs 4 crore is expected in the first phase.Noted art director Nitin Desai has come up with ideas to make Powai lake a place of attraction. Desai and his team submitted their presentation to municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta on Wednesday. Assistant municipal commissioners Ramesh Bambale, Ramesh Pawar and Kiran Dighaokar were also present on this occasion. As per Mehta’s suggestion, Desai and his team had shown their presentation to other civic officials.

The Powai Lake can be beautified in a better way and hence I want to extend my help to the BMC, said Desai. He has also reportedly given a proposal for the beautification of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Garden.

As per BMC sources, the civic authorities have flatly refused to incorporate Desai’s suggestions in the first phase. The tendering process for the second phase is underway and Desai’s suggestions can be considered in the second phase of developments, the BMC officers have reportedly assured Desai.